Valve.



J. LEVEY.'

VALVE. APPLICATION Pff-LED JAN. 3, 1910.

955,600, Patented Apr. 19, 1910.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. LBVEY.

VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. a, 1910.

Patented Apr. 19, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LEVEY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JOI-IN WILLIAMSON, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VALVE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN LEVEY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Valves, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvement in valves for use under conditionsin which they are subjected to intense heat and flame, my inventionrelating particularly to valves employed in the gas-conducting conduitsof gas-producer apparatus for controlling the passage of the gastherethrough.

My object is to provide a simple construction of valve, suitable for thepurpose above referred to, which shall not be liable to impairment bythe intense heat and the action of the gases to which it is subjected inuse, and which will present a clear and unobstructed passage for thegases therethrough when in open condition.

Referring to the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 shows by a view inelevation,

in its greaterpart sectional, a gas-producer apparatus equipped withvalves constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged view in vertical sectional elevation of the upper one of thetwo valves controlling the flow of gas through. the producer; and Fig.3, a similar view taken at a right-angle to that of Fig. 2.

The gas-producer apparatus for use in connection with which I haveespecially devised my improved valve, and in connection with which Ihave chosen to illustrate my invention, is of the W'illiamson typeinvolving, generally stated, a generator 4 provided with a grate 5, apair of checker-brick, vern ticallydisposed carbureter and superheatedchambers 6 and 7, respectively, communicating with each other at theirlower ends through an opening 8 in the dividing wall 9 thereof, thechamber 7 containing a flue-outlet 10 for the products of combustionpassing through the chamber 7, and a gas-outlet 11; and the chamber 6containing an inlet 12 through which the oil for miX- ture with thehydrogen is sprayed therein; and a system of valve-controlled conduitsconnecting the upper end of the chamber 6 with the interior of thegenerator 4 above and below the grate 5 as follows: A conduit 13 opensat its upper end into the chamber 6 and at its lower end, controlled bya Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 3, 1910.

Patented Apr. 19, 1910. Serial No. 536,143.

valve 14, into a conduit 15 leading into the upper end of the generator4. Communicating with the lower end of the generator 4 below the grate 5is a conduit 16, the outer end of which, controlled by a valve 17, opensinto an upright conduit 18 which is in communication at all times withthe conduit 13, the valves 14 and 17 being connected together at theirlever-extensions 19 and 20, respectively, by a rigid rod 21 foroperating them simultaneously, their positions being such that wheneither one is open the other is closed and vice versa.

The apparatus in so far as it is described, is of common and well-knownconstruction, and as it operates in a well-known manner, descriptionthereof in detail is unnecessary. It may be stated, however, that afterthe steam introduced into the generator 4 below the grate 5 at the pointindicated at 22 has passed upwardly for a few minutes through theincandescent coke-bed and thence through t-he conduits 13 and 14 andchambers 6 and 7, the fire becomes deadened, especially at the bottom,and it is necessary to reverse the flow of steam therethrough, thisbeing done by operating the valves 14 and 17 to open valve 17 and closevalve 14 and thereupon introducing steam into the generator above thegrate 5 as at 23, the course of the steam and gas then being downwardthrough the coke-bed and thence through conduits 16, 18 and 13 andchambers 6 and 7 to the gas-outlet 11. When the generator is fired, thevalve 14 is subjected to tremendous heat, and when the steam isintroduced into the generator in the up and down runs, viz. when thesteam ascends and descends through the coke-bed both valves 14 and 17are subjected to extreme heat and, furthermore, to the action of thegases, and it is to avoid impairment to the valves in these con duitsfrom the action of heat and gases that I have especially devised myimproved valve, of which the following is a description:

The valve 14 is formed of a water-tight casing 24 communicating with andsecured to the adjacent ends of the conduits 13 and 15. This casing isof general spherical shape and throughits wall the upwardlyturnedvertically-disposed nozzle 25 formed on the outer end of the conduit 15,extends, as represented in Fig. 2. Journaled in opposed walls of thecasing and extending inwardly therefrom are stub-shafts 26 and 27,

the latter being connected with the lever 19. Located in the casing andrigidly secured to the inner ends of the shafts 26 and 27 at its loweredge-portion is a hood 28 of semicircular shape in longitudinalcross-section, this hood being designed to be swung upon its trunnionsinto and out of a position in which it extends over the open end of thenozzle 25. The casing affords a receptacle for water which, in theconstruction illustrated, enters it at 29 and overflows therefromthrough a pipe 30 communicating with the casing at 31, it beingpreferred that the flow of cold water through the casing be continuous.The location of the upper end of the pipe 30, which is connected withthe conduit 13 through a pipe for equalizing the pressure on the water,determines the level of the water in the casing, which may be varied asdesired, it being necessary, however, that the water level be maintainedat a point intermediate the top of the nozzle and the lower marginalportion of the hood 2S when in the position represented in Fig. 2 forclosing the valve. ln other words, the hood must be submerged at itslower end in the water when in the position referred to and the upperend of the nozzle must be above the level of the water, thereby forminga water-seal valve capable of being opened by merely swinging the hoodupon its journals to a position in which it is submerged in the waterfor uncovering the top of the nozzle, as indicated in dotted lines inFig. 2.

The valve 1T is constructed as described of valve lil, this valvereceiving its supply of water for producing the seal, in the apparatusillustrated, from the valve 11I through the pipe 30, its overflow pipebeing represented at 33.

As a convenient and economical way of by-passing the gas from conduit 1Sto conduit 13, when the apparatus is on a downrun, I form on the outersurface of the casing 24e of the valve 14 a passage 34k whichcommunicates at its lower end with the upper end of the conduit- 18 andat its upper end opens into the conduit 13, thus affording a continuouspassage between the conduits 1S and 13.

To prevent the nozzle 25 and conduit 13 from burning out, I prefer toline them, as indicated at 35 and 3G, with any suitable refractorymaterial, such as lire-brick.

It will be manifest that by constructing a valve in accordance with myinvention, the joint instead of being formed of contacting metal partswhich under the action of the heat and the gases to which it issubjected in use would disintegrate and burn out, is formed with awater-seal which insures the making of a satisfactory oint when thevalve is closed, and is not subject to impairment by continued use.Furthermore,

by providing the water-seal joint, the nozzle is constantly submerged inwater and the hood partially submerged at all times and completelysubmerged during the periods in which the valve is open, which resultsin cooling these exposed parts of the valve. ltwill also be noted thatwhen the valve is open, namely, when the hook is swung to the positionrepresented in dotted lines in Fig. Q, the passage from one conduit tothe other is devoid of obstructions or impediments to the free passageof the gas therethrough.

That l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a water-chamber into which the outlet of oneof said conduits extends above the water therein, and a movable hood insaid chamber adapted, when in one position, to cover said conduit-outletand extend into the water in said chamber for forming a water-seal, andto be moved from such position to uncover said outlet and be out of thepath of movement of the currents through said conduits.

2. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in

combination, a water-chamber into which the outlet of one of saidconduits extends above the water therein, and a movable hood in saidchamber adapted, when in one position, to cover said conduit-outlet andextend into the water in said chamber to form a water-seal, and to bemoved from such position to uncover said outlet and be submerged in thewater, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a water-chamber into which the outlet ofone'of said conduits extends above the water therein, and a hoodpivotally supported in said chamber and adapted, when in one position,to cover said conduit-outlet and extend into the water in said chamberfor forming a water-seal, and to be moved from such position to uncoversaid outlet and be submerged in the water, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a water-chamber into which the outlet of oneof said conduits extends above the water therein, and a hood of curvedcontour pivotally supported in said chamber and adapted, when in oneposition, to cover said conduit-outlet and extend into the water in saidchamber for forming a waterseal, and to be moved from such position touncover said outlet and be submerged in the water, for the purpose setforth.

5. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a water-chamber surrounding the outlet ofone of said conduits, the latter extending above the Water in saidchamber, and a movable hood in said chamber adapted, When in oneposition, to cover said conduit-outlet and extend into the Water in saidchamber for forming a Water-seal and to be moved from such position touncover said outlet and be submerged in the water, for the purpose setforth.

6. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a Water-chamber into Which the outlet of oneof said conduits extends above the Water therein, a movable hood in saidchamber adapted, when in one position, to cover said conduit-outlet andextend into the Water in said chamber for forming a Water-seal and to bemoved from such position to uncover said outlet and be submerged in theWater, and means for circulating Water through said chamber.

7. The combination with communicating conduits, of a valve thereforcomprising, in combination, a Water-chamber into Which the outlet of oneof said conduits extends above the Water therein, a movable hood in saidchamber adapted, when in one position, to cover said conduit-outlet andextend into the water in said chamber for forming a Water-seal and to bemoved from such position to uncover said outlet and be submerged in theWater, means for circulating Water through said chamber, said chambercontaining a Water-inlet and outlet, and an overiioW pipe connected withthe outlet and connected with the conduit above the Water in saidchamber, for the purpose set forth.

8. A valve comprising, in combination, a casing forming a receptacle forWater, the inlet-conduit of said valve extending into said casing abovethe Water therein, and a movable hood in said casing adapted, When inone position, to cover said conduit-inlet and extend into the Water insaid casing for forming a Water-seal and to be moved from such positionto uncover said inlet and be submerged in the Water, said casing beingprovided with a by-pass, for the purpose set forth.

9. A valve comprising, in combination, a casing forming a receptacle forWater, the inlet-conduit of said valve extending into said casing abovethe Water therein, and a movable hood in said casing adapted, When inone position, to cover said conduit-inlet and extend into the Water insaid casing for forming a Water-seal and to be moved from such positionto uncover said inlet and be submerged in the Water, said casing beingprovided With a passage open near the lower end of the casing andcommunicating With the inlet-conduit of the valve above the Watertherein, for the purpose set forth.

10. A valve comprising, in combination, a casing affording a receptaclefor Water and formed with an inlet-conduit extending into the interiorof the casing With its upper end above the Water therein, and a movablehood in said casing adapted, When in one position, to cover saidconduit-inlet and extend into the Water in said casing for forming aWaterseal and to be moved from such position to uncover said inlet andbe submerged in the Water, for the purpose set forth.

l1. A valve comprising, in combination, a casing having a receptacle forWater, the inlet conduit of said valve extending through a side thereofand terminating above the Water in said casing, and a hood pivotallysupported in said casing adapted, when in one position, to cover saidinlet and extend into the Water in said casing for forming a Water-seal,and to be moved from such position to a position in whichl said inlet isuncovered and the hood is submerged in the Water.

JOHN LEVEY.

In presence of- W. B. DAvms, R. A. SCHAEFER.

